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When Clement took the reins at the Liberty Stadium in January - with Lampard a free agent after leaving New York City FC - he tried to bring the former England international in to aid the Welsh club's battle to avoid the drop.

Lampard had played for Swansea early in his career, during a loan spell from his then-club West Ham in the 1995-96 season.

The 38-year-old was tempted by the prospect of working with Clement again, but felt throwing himself into a relegation scrap at just shy of 40 years of age was not the right option.

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"Having played at the top, top level - and I was very fortunate to play with Chelsea for so long - and clubs that were fighting at the top, and this is no disrespect, it felt like it wasn't the right battle for me at that point in my career.

"I would have wanted to go there and given my all to try and help. This was in January so I would have had to have a mini pre-season to get fit at 38 years of age and slug it out at the bottom of the Premier League in reality.

"I wish Clem very well but it was not the right option for me."

Paul Clement during Swansea City's defeat to West Ham

Clement had managed to lift Swansea from rock bottom to five points clear of the bottom three in early March, but Saturday's defeat to West Ham leaves them with one point from the five games since and are two points from safety with six games remaining.

Lampard still believes his former coach can get the Welsh club out of difficulty, but says they must start winning again and quickly.

"I think they can get out of it but it is tough and Clem will know that," he said.